Richmond City Hall is now the home of the Fraser Giant, a new 20-foot-long stainless steel sculpture that depicts a sturgeon.
Unveiled earlier this month, the artwork is a metaphor for the Fraser River, and celebrates its significance to the region’s maritime heritage. The sculpture was created by Saskatoon artists Henry Lau and David Geary, in acknowledgement of Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation.
The majestic white sturgeons of the Fraser River are the last truly wild population of this species in the world, having survived two ice-ages. These fish can live for well over 150 years and grow to more than six metres in length. The white sturgeon lives year-round in the lower Fraser River and is one of the oldest and largest freshwater species in North America.
Unfortunately, the population of white sturgeon here is now a mere fraction of its historic levels and its future existence is in some doubt.
This legacy artwork will be on permanent display in the south garden of Richmond City Hall (6911 No.3 Road) facing Granville Avenue.
